Recognition (parliamentary procedure)


In parliamentary procedure, recognition, or assignment of the floor, is the exclusive right to be heard at that time by a member of a deliberative assembly. With a few exceptions, a member must be recognized by the chair before engaging in debate or making a motion.

Rules

The general rule is that the first member to rise and address the chair after another member has yielded the floor is entitled to the floor.
Exceptions to this general rule include the following:
If the chair made a mistake in assigning the floor, a point of order may be raised.
Once a member has the floor, that member should not be interrupted unless a rule is being broken or the urgency of the situation justifies the interruption.